[HPforGrownups] Rosmerta - First or Last name

[rayheuer3 at aol.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 128617

ajroald wrote:
 
>Had an interesting conversation with another HP friend of mine about  
>Madam Rosmerta.  I've always thought that Rosmerta was her last  name, 
>and was surprised to find out others think it is her first name.  So, 
>I'm wondering what your opinions are?

Ray replies:
 
   One sometimes encounters people addressed as "Madame [first  name]", 
generally divided into two groups; 1) Psychics and others adapted the  title out of 
pretension, such as "Mdame Rose, sees all, knows all!", and 2)  Woman who 
were at one time called by their first name, and have risen in social  standing 
so that the title "Madame" shows proper respect, even though the first  name is 
used.
   The following assumes facts "not in evidence", that  is, there is no 
mention of any such matters in canon.  If Madame Rosmerta  was, at one time, a 
waitress at the Three Broomsticks, and is now the owner (or  perhaps married to 
the owner), "Madame Rosmerta" would be a simple compromise  for adding 
additional respect to one whom you have addressed by her first name,  perhaps for many 
years.
 
Sherrie added:

>I don'r have PoA to hand, but doesn't Fudge refer  to her as just "Rosmerta" 
 
>in the scene at the Three  Broomsticks?  If it's her last name, I'd  think 
that 
>would be  INEXCUSABLY rude of him.
 
  Not in Britain, where one will frequently call an acquaintance  (including, 
presumably a female acquaintance) by their last name.  You will  notice 
several occassions of characters being addressed as "Potter" or  "Malfoy".  
However, Fudge actually calls her, "Rosmerta, m'dear" indicating  a certain level of 
intimacy.  Hagrid also calls her Rosmerta, so I have to  assume that it is, 
indeed, her first name.
 
  --  Ray
 


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